Page 121 - ESCARPMENT MAGAZINE | Winter 2013

Meaford - Meaford’s 2012 construction value total was
$13,222,500 by the end of October well ahead of the 2011
$10,563,600 figure. 266 permits have been issued again ahead of the
2011 count of 190. The breakdown was 146 for residential construction,
27 for agriculture, 10 for commercial and 4 for institutional. Major proj-
ects includeMeaford Haven, the 400 unit residential project on the west
end of Meaford that has official plan amendment approval, draft plan
and zoning endorsement from the municipality and is awaiting final draft
plan approval by the county. Phase 1 of Gates of Kent is complete and
the second phase should be registered shortly. Applications are being fi-
nalized for residential properties abutting the golf course. The old firehall
is being rezoned for conversion to a restaurant.
Developers of the mega Meaford Highlands Resort abutting
3rd Line and Highway 26 are working through the approval process.
Major considerations are servicing, sewage plant capacity and trans-
portation implications. The 1,200 unit project will feature a nine-hole par
3 golf course, hotel, and spa. The sewage treatment plant currently has
450 units available and an additional 800 unit will be added with partial
expansion of the plant.
Knights’ Home Building Centre dealer-owner Tyler Knight won
the Best Young Retailer Award at the 2012 Outstanding Retailing
Awards in Toronto.
What’s New! - Sadly, Amaizeingly Green, has gone into receiver-
ship and the 70 workers have been advised. Some employees were laid
off in July when ethanol production stopped due to the high price of corn.
About 21 employees will continue to work at the plant in the production
of fertilizer and animal feed. The new Highway 26 has finally opened
between Wasaga Beach and Collingwood, a marvelous upgrade for
the commute into Collingwood! The former highway is now called Beach-
wood Drive. The Georgian Triangle Tourist Association has moved into
The Station on St. Paul Street in Collingwood.
BlueMountains has invested more than $500,000in snowmak-
ing upgrades over the past summer. The most notable additions are 50
new two-stage, high-temperature guns that enable the resort to make
snow at temperatures as high as -2C. New upgrades to the Badlands ter-
rain park feature a new and improved super pipe and increase space
for new jump lines and rail lines. Snowmaking in the terrain park has also
been improved.
Crystal Buffet has opened in the former Sears premises beside
Staples and features an authentic Asian buffet. Thai Food, The Siamese
Gecko restaurant is moving back to its former location on Balsam Street
next to Harbour Centre. The Iron Skillet is now in Harbour Centre in the
former Empire Grill premises. Pet Valu has relocated to the former Echo
restaurant premises. Green Apple Book Store has opened on Hurontario
next to Café Chartreuse. Dollar Tree and a Tim Horton’s drive through
are now open at 4 High Street and a pizza restaurant should be opening
soon. Walmart has significantly expanded its grocery section, and the
new Shopper’s Drugmart has devoted a large section of the store to gro-
ceries. Bulk Barn has moved next to Subway on First Street. The Smoke,
an Eatery that will also offer prepared foods, opens shortly on First Street
next to Kamikaze. Red Canoe Gallery has opened in Clarksburg [aka
Artsburg], a second location for the gallery owners from Muskoka. The
Foodland store in Thornbury that became a corporate store when the
Green family retired has been purchased by Brian and Susan Leduc,
owners of the Foodland in Owen Sound. Given Sobeys purchased the
land at the corner of Victoria and Highway 26 a few years ago, area
residents are wondering if a new store is in the offing. Elephant Thoughts
recently celebrated its grand reopening in its new location on Hwy26
East, the former Catch 22 building in Collingwood. |E|
121 Winter 2013 Escarpment Magazine
DUNLOP
CONSTRUCTION
CUSTOM HOMES . ADDITIONS . RENOVATIONS
B RETT D UNLOP • 519.538.5091
Appraisal services for Real Estate Financing,
Estate Planning, Assessments and more
297 Ste. Marie Street, Collingwood
705-445-7414www.hgappraisers.com